Virgil woke up feeling warmer than he had in years.

Usually, he would wake up with a headache or a hollow feeling in his chest. Today, it was different. He’d had a good sleep for the first time in years.

When he opened his eyes, he quickly realized he wasn’t alone.

Roman’s back was to him, the shorter boy sleeping soundly. Immediately, Virgil felt his face go red. Roman didn’t have a shirt on. (Did he even have clothes on?)

That’s right, the green-eyed boy had come over last night. 

And the two of them had…

He buried his face in his hands, silently screaming. He couldn’t believe that had happened, it was too unlikely to be true. What did this mean for the future? Were the two of them lovers? Were they dating? He had never experienced anything like this before, it was uncharted territory. 

It terrified him beyond belief.

What if he had just fallen for a trap? What if Roman had tricked him into thinking he cared, just to get Virgil to open up?

Then again, Roman hadn’t needed to say much, he ended up spilling his guts almost involuntarily anyway.

Still, he wanted to trust Roman. He wanted to believe that Roman was good, and that he really did want Virgil. In a way, it was almost too good to be true. Someone as perfect as Roman Prince, wanting to be with someone as broken and used as Virgil Pryder? Who would believe that?

He wrapped his arms around Roman’s waist, pulling him closer and relishing in his warmth. Roman smelled like cake and roses. It caused an unconscious smile to spread onto Virgil’s face.

He pressed gentle kisses to Roman’s bare shoulder, the shorter boy beginning to stir.

Roman hummed softly. “What time is it?” He asked, almost a whisper.

Virgil glanced over at his alarm clock. “5 AM.” He murmured, before continuing to press light kisses to smooth skin.

Roman released a faint groan. “I have to go soon.” He mumbled. “My dad wanted me back by breakfast.” 

Virgil frowned. “Just have breakfast here.” He said. He didn’t want Roman to leave yet. There was still a whole day ahead of them. He had so many things he wanted to experience with the boy in his arms.

“I can’t do that.” Roman sighed, before sitting up. Virgil whined, idly reaching for him. Roman glanced back at him, a playful smirk on his face. “Who’s the needy one now?” He teased. 

“God,” Virgil grit out, Roman’s hands holding on tightly to his skin, “you’re so needy.” 

Virgil felt his cheeks go slightly pink. “Still you.” He mumbled, giving up on reaching for Roman and relaxing back into his pillow.

Roman rolled his eyes, before looking around the room for his clothes.

Virgil watched him for a second, slightly perplexed. “You’re going to wear the same clothes back home?” He asked. 

Roman looked confused as he stared at him. “Uh, yeah?” He tilted his head, which Virgil found incredibly cute. 

“That’s not happening.” Virgil grumbled, refusing to let Roman feel gross and dirty for even a second. “Put on something in the closet.” 

“And look like a child?” Roman raised an eyebrow. “You’re way taller than me, Virgil.” 

Virgil hadn’t even thought about that, but the thought of Roman in clothes way too big for him was really pleasant to imagine. “Exactly.” He chuckled, already mentally cooing at the thought. “That way, the entire world gets to know that last night, you were with me.” 

Roman and Virgil both flushed, the former turning and sorting through the latter’s closet. 

Virgil really needed to get that filter of his in check. This had to be the fiftieth time he’s spoken without thinking. Roman seemed to have that effect on him. He smiled unconsciously at the thought.

“I had a lot of fun.” Virgil told him absentmindedly. 

Roman smiled slightly. “Me too.” He replied, putting on a pair of pants, then pulling one of Virgil’s black sweaters over his head. 

Virgil held back any comments about how adorable Roman looked. “Do you really need to leave so soon, Princey?” He gave him his best attempt at puppy eyes, causing Roman to snort.

“If I could stay longer, I would.” Roman reassured him. “But I can’t.”

Virgil felt a bit disappointed. “That’s too bad.” He sighed, before smiling innocently. “My dad used to tell me that I made a mean stack of pancakes.” 

“That’s not going to work on me.” Roman rolled his eyes, reaching for his phone. 

He looked through it, while Virgil watched silently.

This all felt like a dream. Everything about this scenario was softer than anything Virgil had ever experienced. He wished he could stay like this forever, just the two of them. He was finally beginning to believe that he could be happy. The universe had finally thrown him a bone, he didn’t plan on letting it go to waste.

“Shit.” Roman murmured suddenly, frowning at his phone. 

“What’s up?” Virgil tilted his head. 

“I pissed my brother off.” Roman grumbled, turning his phone off. “Apparently, I’m walking home.” 

Virgil’s eyes widened. That was dangerous. “Oh, that won’t do.” He quickly sat up. “I’ll give you a ride.”

---

The car ride was spent mostly in a comfortable silence, the two just enjoying each other’s presence. 

Virgil had never liked driving as much as he did at that moment. Roman made every experience a million times better for him. 

“What drew towards me?” Roman asked suddenly. “And when?” 

Oh, where to even begin with that question? The way he didn’t jump to conclusions, how patient he was with Virgil’s bullshit, the way he’s able to light up a whole room, the list goes on and on. 

“A lot of things.” Was the answer he settled on. “And I noticed you checking me out when I was trimming your neighbor’s hedges.” It was the other way around, but Roman was easy to tease.

He saw Roman flush from the corner of his eye. “You noticed that, huh?” 

Wait, what?

Roman had actually been checking him out? Really? 

“It’s not everyday that a cute boy moves here.” He quickly shrugged before he could get lost in his thoughts. “I thought I had seen everyone, and suddenly there’s a new face in the crowd.” 

“Two new faces, technically.” Roman mumbled.

“Don’t you have the same face?” Virgil raised a brow. 

“Unfortunately. That’s why Remus is trying to grow a mustache.” Roman told him.

Virgil hummed as the conversation fell into a light silence. He’d never had a brother, much less a twin, so he couldn’t really understand the relationship between them. Just another way Roman was different from him.

“So, you trim bushes, huh?” Roman spoke up. 

“It pays well enough. I have to support myself somehow.” He murmured. He had bills to pay, after all. “You have a job?” 

“Not at the moment, no.” Roman shook his head.

“You should get one. It’s like an early start to independence.” Virgil told him.

“What do you think I should do?” Roman asked. “LIke, what do you think I’d be good at?” 

Virgil thought that Roman could do anything he put his mind to. He was capable of excelling in anything. “Stripper.” He said, just to tease him.

“What?!” Roman squawked, and Virgil had to hold back his laugh. “Why?!”

“After how you stripped for me last night? You’re practically made for it.” He smirked playfully, and Roman turned crimson. 

“You--I--That--” He stammered, staring at Virgil indignantly. 

“Uh oh, I’ve offended Princey.” Virgil shook his head solemnly, feigning remorse. 

“You’re such an asshole.” Roman grumbled, sinking down in his seat.

“Oh, you love it.” Virgil chuckled.

---

Virgil smiled dumbly to himself as he lay on the couch, recounting the previous night for the fiftieth time in his head. That was the happiest he had been in years, he was still having trouble believing it was real. 

His prayers had finally been answered. All the suffering, the pain, the anxiety gone in just one night. Roman was like his cure, purging Virgil from everything wrong with him. There weren’t enough words in the English language to express how grateful he was for this chance to be happy.

There was a harsh knock at the door, causing Virgil to jump.

For a moment, he thought it was Roman. Perhaps he forgot something? But then, why such a loud knock? Maybe he was just a little too heavy handed.

He got up and pulled it open.

Virgil was immediately met with a punch to the face. 

He fell to the ground, not having been prepared to take a hit. Slowly, he brought a hand to his cheek, eyes wide in shock. He looked back at the door.

Janus Orm stood there, glowering down at him. 

“Wha--?” Virgil tried to ask.

“I told you to stay away from Roman.” Janus spat. “You must have a death wish.” 

“I-I don’t--” Virgil stammered, still in shock. “H-How did--?”

“How did I find out?” Janus grabbed him by the collar with one hand, leaning down over him. With his other hand, he pulled out his phone. 

There was a singular text.

Rem: ROMAN ANDI THE BUSCHSE BOY SFUCKED 

Virgil paled, heart sinking. He looked back at Janus, who looked angrier than ever. “I’m not going to let you use him.” He growled.

“I’m not. I swear. I-I just--” Virgil tried to placate him.

“I don’t know what you did to convince Roman that you’re worth his time.” Janus hissed. “But it won’t last forever. He’ll snap out of it eventually, and realize that he’ll end up like your father if he stays with you.” 

Virgil’s eyes widened. “How could you say something like that?” He asked, standing up. “You’re horrible.” He wrapped his arms around himself, feeling small despite the fact that he was the taller one out of the two of them.

“I’m horrible?” Janus laughed in disbelief. “That is rich coming from you.” He sneered. 

“What did I ever do to you?” Virgil questioned. “Why do you hate me so much?” 

“Don’t play stupid with me, Pryder.” Janus spat. “You may have everyone else fooled, but I know you who really are.” He smirked cruelly. “A dirty slut, who thinks he has everyone wrapped around his finger.” 

Virgil pursed his lips, holding back tears. “Please, just leave me alone.” 

“Oh, not gonna deny it? At least you’re aware that you’re a whore.” Janus snarled. 

“Just go away!” Virgil snapped, glaring at him through watery eyes. “You’ve made your point!” 

“Stop seeing Roman.” Janus reiterated. “He could do a million times better than you.” 

With that, he turned and walked away. 

Virgil quickly slammed the door shut, feeling himself beginning to panic.

God, what was Janus’ issue? 

What had Virgil done to make his hatred run so deep? He barely even talked to Janus before the twins arrived at Vine Academy. Before that, it was just snide comments between the two of them. 

He slid down the door, desperately trying to breathe. 

He couldn’t even argue against Janus, because he was right. 

Virgil was dirty. Virgil was a whore. 

Roman could do so much better than him.

But Virgil was a selfish bastard, who always wanted more than he could have. And he wanted Roman. He wanted to hold him, and to protect him, and to feel loved for once in his miserable life. 

Even that was too much to ask, it seemed. 

But he would be damned before he let Janus Orm have any control over him.

He would keep seeing Roman. 

He would keep being selfish.

A/N:

Bye not janus coming out swinging